Sway Command™ Tow Control System
(For Travel Trailer)
OEM INSTALL MANUAL
Rev: 09.17.2015
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Sway Command™ OEM Install Manual
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction 2
Causes of Sway 2
Preparation 3
Tools and Hardware Required 3
Installation 3
Sway Command™ Controller Mounting 3
Components Required 3
Sway Command Wiring 4
Sway Command™ Light Pod Mounting 5
Sway Command™ Compatible Tow Vehicle Brake Controllers 6
Prior to Operation 6
Sway Command™ Controller Operation 7
Light Codes and Troubleshooting 7
Introduction
The Sway Command™ Tow Control system is a self-contained trailer stability control module that detects
undesirable trailer movement from external sensors and mitigates it by adaptively applying a variable
braking voltage to the left and right trailer electric brakes. This system is currently only for use on travel
trailers.
The Sway Command™ Tow Control system uses sensors to detect excessive trailer sway. The system
activates automatically and applies voltage proportional to the amount of sway detected to the electric
trailer brakes. This dampens the sway and slows the trailer down. When excessive sway is detected, the
light pod will blink red and the tow vehicle operator will feel the trailer brakes activate until the sway is
dampened.
Causes of Sway
A. When there is too much weight behind the trailers axles causing the tongue weight to be less than
10% of the trailer's weight, it has a natural tendency to sway.
B. Incorrect tire inflation.
C. Improper weight distribution hitch adjustments.
D. Crosswinds.
E. A transfer truck passing from the rear of the trailer.
F. Descending inclines.
G. Towing speeds.
H. Tow vehicle not properly matched for the trailer.
I. Improper loading, overloading and poor weight distribution on the trailer.
Rev: 09.17.2015
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Sway Command™ OEM Install Manual
Preparation
Tools and Hardware Required
Cordless/power drill
⁄" drill bit
Driver bits
#12 x ¾" hex head screws (corrosion resistant)
Components Required
Sway Command™ Controller
Sway Command™ Main Wire Harness
Sway Command™ Light Pod
Sway Command™ Light Pod Extension Harness
with lock washers (4)
#8 x 1" square head wood screws (2)
Paint marker/grease pencil
Torpedo level
Installation
Sway Command™ Controller Mounting
NOTE: Never drill into the The Sway Command™ controller or compromise the pressure equalizer plug hole
on the back of the controller. Doing so voids the warranty and could damage the controller.
NOTE: The Sway Command™ controller is water-resistant, but not waterproof. Do not spray high pressure
water directly at the controller.
NOTE: The controller MUST be mounted to a frame crossmember between 4 feet and 10 feet behind the
hitch point.
NOTE: The controller MUST be mounted in a level condition, centered on the crossmember, and according
to the orientation arrow on the label (Fig. 1A).
NOTE: The controller will not operate correctly if mounted incorrectly.
1. Place the controller (Fig. 1A) on the side face of the crossmember (Fig. 1B) where it will be mounted
with the orientation arrow pointing up towards the floor of the coach (Fig. 2A). The controller may be
mounted facing the front or the rear of the trailer.
2. Using a torpedo level, ensure the controller is level, and mark the screw hole locations on the
crossmember (Fig. 1C). Set the controller aside.
Fig. 1 Fig. 2
A
A
CC
B
Rev: 09.17.2015
CC
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Sway Command™ OEM Install Manual
3. Using the ⁄" drill bit and power drill, drill pilot holes into the crossmember on the 4 marks made
during step 2.
4. Using four #12 x ¾" screws with lock washers (Fig. 3A), attach the controller to the crossmember
ensuring the orientation is correct (Fig. 3).
Fig. 3
A A
A A
Sway Command Wiring
1. Connect the Sway Command™ main wire
harness (Fig. 4A) to the port on the Sway
Command™ controller.
2. Connect the Light Pod extension harness
(Fig. 4B) to the two-pin connector on the
main harness.
3. Connect the loose wires (Fig. 4C) on the main
wire harness as described in the table below.
NOTE: All wiring connections should be made at
the trailer junction box according to RVIA
codes.
Fig. 4
A
B
AC
Sway Command™ Wire Connection Wire Gauge
2 Pin Connector Light Pod Extension Harness N/A
Light Pod Extension Harness Light Pod N/A
Black 12VDC from tow vehicle/breakaway battery 12AWG
White Trailer Battery/Frame ground 12AWG
Blue Electric Brake wire from tow vehicle 12AWG
Rev: 09.17.2015
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Sway Command™ OEM Install Manual
Sway Command™ Light Pod Mounting
NOTE: The Light Pod (Fig. 5A)should be mounted in a location that can be easily seen by the tow vehicle
operator.
1. Connect the Light Pod to the extension harness (Fig. 5C) that was previously connected to the Sway
Command™ main harness.
2. Determine the proper mounting location for the Light Pod.
3. Attach the Light Pod to the trailer wall with two #8 x 1 screws (Fig. 5B).
NOTE: Be sure to seal any wall penetrations to prevent water infiltration.
Fig. 5
A
B
B
AC
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Sway Command™ OEM Install Manual
Sway Command™ Compatible Tow Vehicle Brake Controllers
The tow vehicle brake controller applies brakes to the trailer when the tow operator presses on the tow
vehicle brake pedal or activates a manual switch on the tow brake controller. A tow vehicle brake controller
may be OEM factory installed or an aftermarket install.
The table below shows a list of aftermarket brake controllers tested with Sway Command™. Check with LCI on
compatibility of a brake controller not listed below.
Brand Models Notes/Comments
Tekonsha
Hayman Reese
Primus IQ, Prodigy, Prodigy 2, P3,
Sentinel, Voyager
Guardian IQ, Vintour, Compact
(remote mount brake control)
Passed
Passed
Red Arc EB, EBRH, Tow Pro EBRH-ACC, EBTM Passed
Dexter Predator DX2 Passed
GSL Electronics EBC-12, RBC-12 (remote) Passed
Ram 1500 2015 Passed
Ford F150 MY2010 Passed
Prior to Operation
1. Sway Command™ MUST be installed as detailed in the Sway Command™ Installation section. Sway
Command™ will not operate correctly if improperly installed.
2. Trailer brakes MUST be adjusted per OEM specifications to ensure proper trailer braking. The Tow
operator MUST ensure trailer brakes are properly adjusted. Sway Command™ may not operate
properly with improperly adjusted brakes. Discuss brake adjustments with the trailer OEM.
3. Trailer brakes MUST be burnished to ensure proper trailer braking. New electric brakes may contain a
coating to prevent rust during shipping. An unburnished brake will reduce trailer braking capacity. The
tow vehicle operator MUST ensure trailer brakes are properly burnished to ensure brakes are effective
in slowing the tow vehicle. Sway Command™ may not operate properly with improperly burnished
brakes. Discuss brake burnishing with the trailer OEM.
4. Improperly adjusted tire pressure can reduce braking effectiveness and can be a source of sway. Tire
pressure MUST be adjusted to OEM recommended pressure.
5. Tires MUST have useful tread life left to ensure proper braking. Tire tread below useful life could skid
during braking. The tow operator MUST ensure tires have useful tread left.
6. Improperly loaded trailers can be a source of sway. At higher speeds, if the trailer naturally sways, the
tongue weight and/or trailer weight distribution MUST be adjusted. Sway Command™ could activate
frequently in this situation causing excessive brake wear. Ensure proper hitch tongue weights are
observed for the trailer.
7. The Tow operator MUST ensure Sway Command™ is operational by observing the Sway Command™
Light Pod status. Ensure the light pod is illuminated green. See Sway Command™ Status light for status
other than green.
8. The Tow operator should tow safely taking into account driving and weather conditions.
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Sway Command™ OEM Install Manual
Sway Command™ Controller Operation
1. When Sway Command™ detects excessive sway, the light pod will blink red and the tow operator will
feel the trailer brakes activate until the sway is dampened.
2. Sway Command™ will wake up if it senses external brake activations. During wake up, Sway
Command™ performs self-checks and alternately flashes the light pod lights green and red.
NOTE: The Sway Command™ light pod will be green if no issues are detected. If an issue is detected, the
Light Pod will blink green once, followed by a number of red flashes. See troubleshooting for a
description of the various blink codes.
3. Sway Command™ will enter a low power mode after 10 minutes when it senses no tow vehicle brake
activations. The Sway Command™ light pod will turn off when it powers down.
Light Codes and Troubleshooting
Light Flash Why? What Should Be Done?
Unit is in low power. Activate tow vehicle
Off
Unit is not powered and not
active.
Green, Red, Repeat Wake up self-checks in progress
brake to wake unit.
Unit is not connected to DC 12V power
supply. Verify wiring.
After a few seconds, the unit will complete
self-checks, and set the lights green if unit
is ready, or a flashing code if an issue is
found.
Green Solid
Red Blink
Unit is awake and monitoring for
sway.
Sway Command™ detected sway
event and is activating brakes.
Green, 2 Red A short to 12 volt detected.
Green, 3 Red Not connected to trailer brakes.
Green, 4 Red A short to ground detected.
Green, 5 Red Low voltage detected.
Red Solid
Unit is not functional.
Red Fast Blink
Every 5 seconds, there will be a brief time
the Green LED turns off for a fraction of a
second. This indicates unit is functional.
After sway subsides, light will return to
Green.
Verify the break away switch is not
activated.
Verify blue brake wire not shorted to 12
volt.
Verify the blue brake wire is connected to
the trailer brakes.
Verify the blue brake wire is not shorted to
ground or trailer frame.
Verify tow vehicle and tow battery are at
12 volts.
Disconnect harness, wait 10 seconds.
Connect harness. If light becomes solid
red, unplug unit and contact service
department.
NOTE: In the event a tow vehicle brake controller detects a fault after Sway Command™ detects a sway
event, manually activate the tow vehicle brake controller a few times to clear the fault.
Rev: 09.17.2015
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Sway Command™ OEM Install Manual
The contents of this manual are proprietary and copyright protected by Lippert Components, Inc. (“LCI”).
LCI prohibits the copying or dissemination of portions of this manual unless prior written consent from an
authorized LCI representative has been provided. Any unauthorized use shall void any applicable warranty.
The information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice and at the sole discretion of LCI.
Revised editions are available for free download from www.lci1.com.
Please recycle all obsolete materials.
For all concerns or questions, please contact
Lippert Components, Inc.
Ph: (574) 537-8900 | Web: lci1.com | Email: customerservice@lci1.com
Rev: 09.17.2015
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Sway Command™ OEM Install Manual
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